An exciting bit of good news we wanted to pass along, Sudan and South Sudan have been in talks in Addis Ababa and have come to an agreement on some issues! This includes the beginning steps, forming committees, to set the official boundaries of the two nations.
Sudan Tribune also reported that, “The two states have agreed to continue negotiations as partners rather than aggressors,” said Thabo Mbeki, who chairs the African Union meditation mechanism.” The agreement will be signed in the coming weeks in Juba as Sudan’s Bashir will be visiting soon.
What a turn around from what we have been hearing and hopefully a sign of steps in the right direction for both nations.

Sudan Tribune reported that on Wednesday US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, called out President Bashir for “undermine the implementation” of the peace agreement. She also stated:

“The people of South Sudan voted for independence and ever since, despite Bashir going to [South Sudan president] Salva Kiir’s inauguration, there has been a steady effort to undermine this new state,”.

“I think that what we’ve got with Bashir is a very determined effort to try to undo the results of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,” Clinton added.

Again we call out for prayers for Sudan and South Sudan as they are dealing with many details left unsettled. Please also pray for unity within tribes, peoples, political groups in South Sudan and for them to seek the Lord and what He would have for their country.

*Photo and quotes from Sudan Tribune, http://alturl.com/bonfo

Looks like things are in the works for a new pipeline for South Sudan’s oil. Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan will share the cost for a “massive a transportation corridor project”. To read more about the details go to Sudan Tribune…

http://www.sudantribune.com/Ethiopia-Kenya-and-South-Sudan-to,41662

Apologies as I can’t seem to create a proper link. Please copy and paste website address and head on over.

We will try to summarize the many happenings from the situation in Sudan/South Sudan. There has been a lot of flip flop in talk from the North about if they will continue to refine and export the South’s oil. The ICC prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, requested an issue of a warrant to arrest Sudan’s defense minister, Abdul Rahim Mohamed Hussein, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. There have been pictures coming out of the Blue Nile area that show the destruction that the North has caused to civilians. To quote an article on the Sudan Tribune’s website, “John Bradshaw, the executive director of the Enough Project, an advocacy group, said that the imagery is “consistent with reports from on the ground that the SAF has intentionally destroyed civilian communities in clear violation of the laws of war.” It looks like things are rapidly leaning towards another war of some sort. Please keep praying.

If you would like a recap of the happenings in the last month or so, you can find a good one here.

This month marks a year since we moved to the SIM Kenya team. As you may recall we made the move from SIM Sudan to SIM Kenya for a new position that was created, coordinator for the East African Media Epicenter.

We were excited about the possibility of creating a high quality media to share about the Lord’s work within East Africa to supporters and possible new missionaries around the world. We were told it was a go and moved our family to Nairobi as it would provide the best placement for the media hub.

Unfortunately, there have been many unforeseen developments. A few weeks ago we were told that Taylor’s position, the only one filled of the nine epicenters around the globe, will be put “on hold” when we return to the States this May for home assignment. This basically means that as they step back and take a look at restructuring the regional media epicenter idea we will look for another position.

We would GREATLY appreciate your prayers for our family right now in this time of uncertainty. We would like to stay here in Kenya as it has become “home”. There is a possibility of staying with SIM but being seconded to another agency that has a wonderful and established media team. This team has actually been generous enough to share office space with Taylor this past year. We admire the media team and how they use their gifts to share about the Lord’s work. Though this move might make sense to us we don’t want to rush into anything.

Please be praying for guidance and wisdom as we look ahead for our next steps, that we would clearly see the direction God would have us go, and for a refreshing of our passions which led us to choose missions as a career. Please also be praying for SIM leadership as they take another look at these regional media centers which have the potential to be of great use for the kingdom.

The following are the events as we have been allowed to share. Skip to the bottom to see the latest update.

UPDATE 1

Overview/History of Henrick’s situation:
Henrik was doing church work in Upper Nile state, South Sudan. He was travelling with three other church workers (1 Sudanese pastor and 2 Sudanese elders). They were visiting the Atar area in Jonglei along with the other Sudanese church members:
1) Simon Minyang Bol (a Presbyterian pastor)
2) Isaac Chol Chuang (elder of the church)
3) Abraham Tuong (elder on the SIC church in Atar)

They were in the church in Khorwatch (spelling?) on Sunday September 19th and after worship services they went to the SPLA barracks to inform them that they are around. At this point they were all detained and we are told they spent the night outside. They were then escorted back to Atar to the SIM compound and held there under house arrest. When SIM leadership was notified, we sent messages to our SIM representative in Malakal, Mike Koski. Pastor Thomas Khodok (Sudanese member of Sudan Interior Aid) was also contacted. He obtained an SRRC travel permit and traveled to Atar to see the situation. They met up with Henrik and the other church members and were told that they should go to Canal to get their release. They travelled to Canal on September 21, 2010. When they arrived Pastor Thomas stayed at the deputy commissioner’s residence and the other four (Henrik with the 3 church leaders) stayed with the military. They were told that the military was waiting for the senior person to show to hear their case. On Wed, 22 Sept we learned that Pastor Thomas Khodok was also detained by the SPLA.

Our Efforts
Henrik’s love for the Sudanese people has resulted in a large effort by pastors and friends in Malakal to secure his release. They are visiting many officials on his behalf. Pastor Daniel Yhor here in Nairobi is working with the SPLM office here. SIC and Sudan Council of Churches leaders are engaged and working through their own contacts. We are also in touch with UN Security personnel offices in both Malakal and Juba.

Please join us in praying for his release soon. Acts 12:5 “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”

Chris for the SIM Sudan team

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UPDATE 2

24 September, Friday
In Canal, three of the five men were released. However, Henrik and Thomas Khodok remained in detention.

25 September, Saturday
Very heavy rain overnight and during the day ensured that not much could happen. In the afternoon there was a meeting at the military security office in Malakal. Pastor Kur Deng (SIC), Mike Koski, and others were there to negotiate and give information. The men are to be released tomorrow and brought by military escort to Malakal tomorrow. Henrik himself called me at 3:56pm and sounded like his normal upbeat self. His case of malaria which presented on 23 Sept is much better. He self-treated using Coartem.

Thanks to Pastor Kur Deng, Thomas Khodok’s brother, Pastor Mum’s brother, Mike Koski and others for their tireless efforts. When the men arrive in Malakal, we will let you know. Thank you for your prayers.

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UPDATE 3 (27 September, Monday)
Henrik and Thomas Khodok left Canal today and arrived in Malakal. They were escorted by security forces were kept for a time at the Security Base in Malakal. Isaac, an elder from the Atar church is with them.

Around 330pm, Isaac, Thomas, and Henrik were brought to the SIC Compound which SIM Sudan uses for a base. They were told they were restricted to stay at the compound. They are is fine health and good spirits. I was able to speak to Henrik personally and assured him of our support.

Charges against the men are being brought by army intelligence against Henrik and Thomas. The charges are for spying and trespassing. It is possible that there are charges against Isaac also.

Because the men were there on for spiritual reasons, we are certain they will be exonerated, however there are certain procedures that must be followed. For those procedures, Thomas and Henrik (and possibly Isaac) will need to travel with a military escort to Juba.

UN Security in Malakal states the matter is out of their hands. Apparently the whole process has become high level they are not able to influence the situation.

Only two of the original group of four are being charged.

Note that Thomas Khodok is a pastor of SIC and is currently assigned to the work with Sudan Interior Aid, the aid wing of the Sudan Interior Church (SIC).

Pastor Daniel Yhor Akec (SIC and Director of Sudan Interior Aid) and Chris Crowder (SIM Sudan Director) will travel to Juba tomorrow (28 Sept) to assist with the situation. We are also told that Rev Ramadan Chan (SIC) and General Secretary of the Sudan Council of Churches is in Juba as well.

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UPDATE 4 (29 September, Wednesday)
Pastor Daniel Yhor Akec (SIC and Director of Sudan Interior Aid) and Chris Crowder (SIM Sudan Director) made it to Juba/Sudan on the 28th September 2010. Henrik Ermlich, Thomas Khodok and Isaak Chol Chuang needed to be transferred to Juba as well by the military (using a commercial airline). Before they left Malakal they were given back the money which was taken away from them, finding that it was less 1104SDG (approx. 480USD). Georg Sieg (German Embassy in Juba) was there in Juba to meet Henrik, Thomas and Isaak when they arrived.

Chris Crowder also had a meeting with Georg Sieg at around 12:30pm to talk over what the further procedure could be. Georg was of great help in the negotiations with the Vice Presidents office on the 28th September 2010. The church delegates were also meeting that same afternoon to discuss this issue.

Henrik is doing good so far. The military treated him fair most of the time. We are thankful that he was not beaten or mistreated physically. But we can still say that he has gone through a tough time.

Currently it looks like a release could be possible today, according to a short statement of a lieutenant yesterday evening. They are waiting on the military base right now (10am) for their case to be attended. We are prepared to receive Henrik in Nairobi. The CMT has decided after the consultation with the member care personnel that he should come out for a debrief and a period of rest. Henrik has accepted this offer.

Thomas Khodok and Isaak Chol Chuang will fly back to Malakal. If the military will not come up for the cost of their repatriation flight back to Malakal, than SIM is willing to pay for that cost. We appreciate their help and that they were ministering with us.

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UPDATE 5 (29 September, Wednesday)
HENRIK, THOMAS AND ISAAK ARE FREE!!!

After they had been waiting at the military base for some time this morning they were finally attended by a lieutenant. The release was uncomplicated. Chris Crowder and Co. appreciated the lieutenant for his help and left the office.

Henrik Ermlich and Chris Crowder will be arriving in Nairobi (JKIA) today, on 29th September 2010, at 4:30pm. Me, Heinrich Klassen, will meet them at the airport. Daniel Yhor will fly to Nairobi the following day (30th September 2010) in the morning. Thomas Khodok and Isaac Chol Chuang are in the process of purchasing their tickets to Malakal. Their arrival will probably be in Malakal on the 30th September 2010.

It’s a bit early to talk about details, but there is a good chance we might be changing our assignment a little. Moving from doing media and communications for the Sudan field to a more regional role for E. Africa acting for the International and USA offices of SIM. If we move forward, it would likely take effect around February of next year as we have commitments to the Sudan team that we need to complete.

We are talking one-on-one with some supporters as well as our sending church. Without the blessings from our church and supporters, we do not feel this would be a wise move.

Would you please intercede on our behalf so that we might be able to understand clearly what God would have for us and our ministry? This is an unexpected move early on in our careers as missionaries.

We do not foresee a change in our support requirement, but we are unsure as to how this would possibly effect the financial support coming in right now from our donors.

After of month of recovering from illness in Nairobi, we are back home in Malakal. In the first hour I’d already killed a mouse who had made his home in my media cupboard. So far no wires or electronics damaged, but let’s just say it’s dirty. That’s tomorrow’s project.

We are happy to be back with our teammates and Avery has taken to Sudan again quite well.

It’s hot. Our taxi driver told us that the last two days were very cold. During the rainy season, a hot day indicates rain is soon to come. So we’re looking forward to the first ‘real’ rain (+3hr down pour) in Sudan.

Unfortunately with the rain brings some not so fun realities. Our latrines are totally full of water. So using the bathroom is an new challenge and our shower drains are backed up. But the big plus is that with the water catchment system we built a while back, we never have to worry about water supply. Even with the massive amount of visitors (while we were gone) they never ran out of water.

We plan to be here for about two months this time around. Taylor’s sister, Allison, will be joining us for a week in November and then we’ll head back to Nairobi for a little more family time before she heads to South Africa for a bit.

Please pray that we are able to maintain good health. We want to get back to learning Arabic and do so without distractions as much as possible.